Prince George RCMP have received a complaint about a bounced cheque from a traveling business that passed through the city last month buying gold jewellery, old coins and antiques.
However, there is little police can do about it, Cpl. Craig Douglass said Monday, in reference to a report of a cheque from Treasure Hunters for $150 that came back as non-sufficient funds.
Douglass said the amount is simply too small to launch an investigation particularly because the company, which was in Prince George last month, is based in the U.S.
"We'd have to prove that the company intentionally knew there was no money in the account and that would require legal documents and when we're dealing with U.S. companies, it's just not going happen," Douglass said. "The resources and the amount of time we'd have to put in for that just wouldn't be worth it."
Douglass advised sellers to accept cash or certified cheques only.
Treasure Hunters made stops in other B.C. communities and Kelowna RCMP have also received two complaints about bounced cheques from the company for amounts under $100.
He advised sellers to accept cash or certified cheques only.
Better Business Bureau spokesman Mark Fernandes said the organization has received complaints about Treasure Hunters from two B.C. residents who ended up getting their money plus $15 after pursuing the matter aggressively.
But the company also said in a statement as many as 4,000 cheques for sellers across North America have been affected, Fernandes said.
"The key thing is people have to be proactive and attempt to contact the company," Fernandes said. "They either file a complaint through the BBB or they contact the company directly but if they don't let the company know about the issue they may not get the money back because the company's obviously not contacting everybody back."
For more information, visit www.mbc.bbb.org.
